Axial Flow Compressor

ME 423
Chapter 5
Axial Flow Compressors
Prof. Dr. O. Cahit ERALP

Chapter 5 Axial Flow Compressors

 Subsonic compressors will be considered here as
supersonic compressors have not proceeded beyond
experimental stage.
A Comparison of
Axial Flow Compressors and Turbines
Turbine :- Accelerating flow - Successive pressure drops

and consequent reductions in enthalpy being converted
into kinetic energy
A1>A2 ⇨ converging passages
Me 423 Spring 2006 Prof. Dr. O. Cahit ERALP

A Comparison of Axial Flow Compressors and Turbines
Compressor :- Decelerating flow - Pressure rises are

obtained through successive stages of diffusing
passages with consequent reduction in velocity.
A1<A2 ⇨ diverging passages
 Problems of compressors & turbines are different
 in compressors - aerodynamic problems
 in turbines - problems due to entry temperature and
heat-transfer.
 Boundary Layers - regions of low momentum air where
viscous effects dominate over inertial effects.

 Boundary layers are far less happy in a compressive flow .

BL in a compressor operate in an unfavourable pressure
gradient [(+) 've ; p increase ]
 BL in a turbine operate in a favourable pressure gradient
[ (-)'ve ; p decrease. ]
 This is the reason why a single stage turbine can create
enough power to drive a number of stages of compressor.
 Bend thin plates and stick them behind each other forming
a stationary cascade of blades.
 Let the flow be directed towards the inlet of this cascade of
blades without any incidence.

 As A2 > A1 in subsonic flow (incompressible)

W2 < W 1 & P2 > P1
This is no more than a subsonic diffuser
To carry a mechanical load, some thickness is required.
 If M < 0.3 incompressible

1  2  
1 1
P2  W2  P1  W12
2
2 2
i.e. thus 1
P0  0 P P   .. W  W
2 2

2
2 1 1 2

 Clearly the outlet velocity W2 cannot decrease beyond a

certain level (cannot be zero) (or W2 ≠ 0)
  p W12 (since W2 is fixed by the lower limit)
 One should design the compressor at the highest inlet
velocity
But the losses ⇨  Po α W12
 α 1/  p
 Stage pressure ratio is limited and the number of stages
are determined accordingly (single stage or multistage)

 Due to the contraction, the flow initially accelerates

pressure drops (favourable to BL) ( A1 > A1' )
 then Wmax W1

W2 W2
 The amount of pressure rise between 1' to 2 is larger
than that of 1 to 2.
 i.e more diffusion the limit of Wmax is than of sonic limit.
 More diffusion means less efficiency

i.e why we prefer compressor blades to be as thin as
possible.

 The more the (camber), the more is the adverse pressure

gradient, then seperation occurs earlier.
 The seperated flow leaves the blade at an unwanted
angle and unsteady situation.
 All these problems in compressor cascades are due to
Boundary layers.
 Turbine problems are completely different since we want
the pressure to drop along the flow direction.
 The flow is a high "h" enthalpy or high temperature, high
pressure (to low T low P) flow.

 The blades are such that minimum c/s area occurs at the
trailing edge of the blades which is called the throat.
 The flow area should contract continuously all the way
along the blades in order not to have an adverse
pressure gradient BL along the row.
 Even an instantaneous discontinuity in the contraction of
the passage results in a locally seperated BL, thus
increased turbulence.
 This might happen due to simplified manufacture for
curvatures such as two circles.
 This results in extremely high heat transfer coefficient,
thus the blade will not last 10 minutes.

 For the Axial Compressors and turbines the basic

components are rotors and stators, the former carrying
the rotating blades and the latter the stationary rows
which serve to recover the pressure rise from the kinetic
energy imparted to the fluid by the rotor blades as in
compressors and/or to redirect the flow into an angle
suitable for entry to the next row of moving blades.
 A compressor stage is composed of a rotor followed
by a stator, where as a turbine stage is composed of a
stator followed by a rotor .

In Compressors
 It is usual to provide a row of stator blades – Inlet Guide
Vanes (IGV's) at the upstream of the first stage. These
direct the axially approaching flow correctly into the first row
of rotor blades. Thus deflect the flow from axial direction to
off-axial direction. IGV's are turbine type of blades.
 Two forms of rotor construction is used
 Drum type-suitable for industrial applications
 Disc type - suitable for aircraft applications low weight, high
cost)

 Another important constructional detail is the contraction

of the flow annulus from the low the high pressure end of
the compressor.
 This is necessary to maintain a reasonably constant axial

velocity along. most compressors are designed on the
basis of constant axial velocity because of the
simplification in design procedure. One could have a
rising hub or a falling shroud in compressors.

Elementary Theory For Axial Flow Compressors
 Basic principle : Acceleration of the working fluid followed

by diffusion to convert the acquired kinetic energy into a
pressure rise.
 The flow is considered as occuring in the tangential plane
at the mean blade height where the blade peripheral
velocity is u.
 When the annulus is unrolled, since the blade C/S
changes from Hub to Tip, one C/S is chosen
(e.g. at mid blade height)
and a series of constant C/S aerofoils result.
 These are called a 2-D cascade of aerofoils.

 A semi- cascade can be produced if the cascade end

boundary effects are eliminated (The flow in the channels
are not aware of what happens at the ends)
 The aerodynamics of a cascade repeats itself with a
periodicity of s (pitch).
 As the flow is going through the cascade, the end wall BL
grows in thickness, thus the axial velocity grows.
 To take care of this, BL is sucked; or a large "Aspect Ratio"
cascade where the effect of end wall BL is less observed , is used.
 v-absolute velocity
 w-relative velocity
 u- peripheral blade velocity

 On the rotor, turn your head into the wind, and the
drought you feel is the relative velocity w
 Connect the absolute velocity vectors (u and v) together

arrow-head to arrow-head, the tails became the relative
velocity vector (w)
W2< W1 P2 > P1 across the rotor
V1  V3  V2 P3  P2 across the stator



From the velocity triangles
U/Va= tan  1 + tan  1 (5.1)
U/Va= tan  2 + tan  2 (5.2)
The axial velocity Va is assumed to be constant throughout
the stage.
The work absorbed by the stage, from the consideration of
the"change of angular momentum", in terms of work done
per unit mass flow rate or specific work input is:
.
W  U (V2  V1 )  UVa (tan  2  tan 1 )
(5.3 , 5.4)
V2  U  W2  U  Va tan 2
or . (5.5)
W  UVa (tan 1  tan 2 )
Vθ2 – Vθ1
α2 β1 α inlet
β2 1
exit
V2 V1
W2
Va
U Vθ1
Vθ2
Combined Velocity Triangle for
Axial Compressor Stage

The input energy is absorbed usefully to increase p

and v and waste fully to increase T (frictional losses)
regardless of losses (efficiency) the whole input =  Tos
If V1 = V3 UVa
Tos  Ts  (tan 1  tan 2 )
Cp (5.6)
In actual fact the stage temperature rise will be less than
this owing to 3D effects in the compressor annulus
(growing end wall B/L)

Analysis of experimental results has shown that it is

necessary to multiply the results given by equation 5.6 by the
so called work done factor  which is a number < 1
λ = Actual work absorbing capacity / Ideal work absorbing capacity
The explanation of this is based on the fact that the radial

distribution of axial velocity is not constant across the annulus
but becomes increasingly peaky as the flow proceeds as
shown in the figure.
From eqn. 5.1 : Va tan 1 = U- Vatan 1
W  U   U  V tan    V tan  
.
Substitute into 5.5 : a 1 a 2
since 1 & 1 are fixed while Va increase then w decrease

Va Va
Va mean Va mean
From eqn. 5.1 : Va tan 1 = U- Vatan 1

W  U   U  V tan    V tan  
.
Substitute into 5.5 : a 1 a 2
since 1 & 1 are fixed while Va increase then w decrease

 If the compressor has been designed for a constant radial

distribution of Va, the effect of an increase in V a in the
central region will be to reduce the work capacity of blading
in that area.
 This reduction however should be compensated by
increases in the regions of the root and tip of the blading
because of the reductions in Va at these parts of the
annulus. Unfortunately this is not the case since ;
 Influence of BL's on the annulus walls
 Blade tip clearances
has an adverse effect on this compensation and the net
result is a loss in total work capacity)
 .W = Actual amount of work which can be supplied to
the stage.

Actual stage temperature rise :


Tos  UVa (tan 1  tan 2 )
Cp

  T 
 1
The pressure ratio: R  1  

s os
T
s
  o1
s= stage isentropic efficiency

Degree of Reaction
  = static pressure rise across the rotor /

/ static pressure rise across the whole stage
 It is also a measure of how much of the total pressure

rise across the stage occurs in the rotor.
 Since Cp doesn't vary much across a stage,  will be

equal to the corresponding temperature rises.

Degree of Reaction
TR = Temperature rise across the rotor

TST = Temperature rise across the stator
TS = Stage temp. Rise
Assuming  =1.0
.
W  C ( T  T )  C T 
p R ST p s
 UV (tan   tan  )  UV (tan   tan  )

a 1 2 a 2 1

Degree of Reaction
. 1 2
The steady flow energy eqn : W  C p TR  (V2  V12 )
2
1 2
with eqn (5.8) : C p TR  UVa (tan  2  tan 1 )  (V2  V12 )
2
But V2  Va sec  2 V1  Va sec 1

1 2
C p TR  UVa (tan  2  tan 1 )  Va (sec2  2  sec2 1 )
2
1
C p TR  UVa (tan  2  tan 1 )  Va2 (tan 2  2  tan2 1 )
2
since sec2   tan2   1

Degree of Reaction
1
UVa (tan  2  tan 1 )  Va2 (tan2  2  tan2 1 ) V
 2  1  a (tan  2  tan 1 )
UVa (tan  2  tan 1 ) 2U
2U
 tan 1  tan  2  tan 1  tan 2
Va
Va 2U
  1 (  tan 1  tan 2 )
2U Va
(5.9)
Va
 (tan 1  tan 2 )
2U

Degree of Reaction
 For 50% reaction which is a wide practice ( =0.50)

V U
0.50  a (tan 1  tan 2 ) tan 1  tan 2 
2U Va
 from equations 5.1 & 5.2 tan 1  tan 2 tan 1  tan  2
⇨  1 = 2 ,  2 = 1
Va  V1 cos 1  V3 cos  3
since V1=V3 1 = 3 (for repeating stages)
 For ⇨ symmetrical blading

 1 = 2 =  3 , 1 =  2

Degree of Reaction
 Eqn 5.9 is derived for =1
 Actually  will differ from 50% slightly because of the

influence of  ;
but still will be called symmetrical blading.

3D Flow
 Up to here the analysis has been confined to a 2D flow

basis at one particular radial position in the annulus ;
which is usually chosen to be "at the mean blade height"
Before considering its extension to cover the whole blade
height , attention must be given to some basic principles
of 3D flow.
 For high H/T ratio  2D assumption is reasonable
 Low H/T ratio  Radial flow components should be
considered.

3D Flow
Assumption
 Any radial flow within the annulus occurs only while the
fluid is passing through the blade rows. The flow in the
gaps between successive blade rows will be in Radial
Equilibrium.
 Basic Assumption V r =0 at the entry and exit of a
blade row.
 A commonly used design method is based on this
principle and an equation is set up to fulfill the
requirement that radial pressure forces must act on the
air elements in order to provide the necessary radial
acceleration associated with the peripheral velocity
component V.

3D Flow
p+dp
dr
Vθ
p+dp/2 p+dp/2
p
r
dθ

3D Flow
 From the figure the force balance in radial direction i.e

pressure forces = centrifugal forces V r =0
dp d V2
( p  dp)(r  dr )d  prd  2( p  )dr  rdrd
2 2 r
 
 Here sin( )  for  small
2 2
 Cancelling dq through the eqn and neglecting 2 nd orderterms
such as dpdr.
1 dp V2

(Radial Equilibrium Condition)
 dr r

Radial Equilibrium Condition
 The Radial equilibrium equation may be used:
 to determine Va (r) once V(r) is chosen (design or

indirect problem)
 to determine Va (r), V (r) produced by a selected

blade shape i.e. a (r) (Direct problem)
 The stagnation enthalpy "h0" at any radius r

V2 1
h0  h   C pT  (Va2  V2 )
2 2
 P
since C pT 
 1 


 P 1 2
h0   (Va  V2 )
 1  2
Differentiating wrt. r we have

dh0  1 dP P d  dVa dV
  2 Va  V 
dr   1 dr  dr dr dr
 Lets assume that the change in pressure across the
annulus is small and the isentropic relation can be used.
i.e P =const. is valid with little error.

In differential form d P  0 OR d P 0
dr  dr 
substituting into the previous relation;

 Introducing the Radial Equilibrium condition

dh0 dVa dV V2
 Va  V 
dr dr dr r
 Apart from the regions near the walls of the annulus the
stagnation enthalpy (and To) is uniform across the
annulus at the entry to the blade rows.
dh0
 Thus dr  0
in any plane between a pair of blade rows.

dVa dV V2
Va  V  0
dr dr r

 A special case may now be considered in which

Va=const. is maintained across the annulus, so that
dV V dV dr
  OR V   r
dr r 
 Integrating this gives: lnV   ln r  const OR Vr  const
 Thus the whirl velocity component of the flow varies

inversely with the radius.
 This is the Free Vortex condition.

The Free Vortex Radial Equilibrium is Satisfied by:
 Constant specific work input dho/dr = 0
 Constant axial velocity at all radii i.e. dVa/dr =0
 Free Vortex variation of whirl velocity (Vr =const)

 There is no reason why the specific work input should not

dh0
be varied with radius i.e. dr  0 . It would then be
necessary to choose a radial variation of one of the other
variables say Va (r) and determine the variation of V with
r to satisfy the radial equilibrium. Thus in general a
design can be based on arbitrarily choosen radial
distributions of any two variables and the appropriate
variation of the third can be determined by using the
equation dh0 dVa dV V2
 Va  V 
dr dr dr r
d dV
 Note: dr or any other variable may be used instead of dr

Method of Work Tangential Axial velocity Reaction Radial Remarks
Design Variations velocity distribution distribution with Equilib.
with radius Distibution Vθ(r) with Radius Λ(r)
ho(r) Radius Va(r)
A Supposed Supposed constant Supposed Supposed Ignored All variations of flow with
Two- constant constant constant radius are ignored
Dimensional Method for: high H/T stages
B Constant Vθr = constant Constant Incresed with Yes Limited by high rotor root
Free Vortex radius deflection
(approx. const. stator defl.)
C Constant Supposed Vθ = ar ± b/r Supposed Supposed Ignored Λ and work distr. will NOT
Reaction constant constant constant be const. since true variation
(without in Va is not considered
equilibrium)
D Constant Constant Vθ = ar ± b/r From radial Constant Yes Logical design method
Reaction equilib. Highly twisted blades
E Supposed Arithmetic mean Supposed Not far from Ignored Λ and work distr. will NOT
Half Vortex constant of free vortex and constant const. be const. since true variation
const. reaction dist. in Va is not considered
F Supposed Fixed by condition Supposed Not far from Ignored Widely used but its
Constant α2 constant Vθ2 = cost. constant const. performance and advantages
[stator entry] not widely understood
Vθ1 = a – b/r
[rotor entry]
G Forced Increases Vθ α r From radial Varies with radius Yes Rarely used
Vortex with r2 equilib.
H Constant Vθ = a ± b/r From radial Varies with radius Yes A logicl design method
Exponential equilib.
Blade Design
 Having determined the air angle distributions to give the

required stage work it is now necessary to convert these
into blade angle distributions from which the correct
geometry of the blade forms may be determined.
 Air Angles  Blade angles  Blade Geometry
 The common practice is to use the results of the wind
tunnel tests to determine the blade shapes to give the
required air angles. The aim of the cascade testing is to
determine the required angles for
 Maximum mean deflection  = 1   2
 Minimum mean total head loss.

Blade Design
β1v,α1v = Blade inlet angle
β2v,α2v = Blade outlet angle
β1, α1 = Air inlet angle
β2, α2 = Air outlet angle
W1,V1 = Air inlet velocity
W2,V2 = Air outlet velocity
s = pitch
c = chord
θ = camber = α1v – α2v
ξ = stagger = 0.5(α1v + α2v)
є = deflection = α1 – α2
i = incidence = α1 - α1v
δ = deviation = α2 – α2v

Blade Design

Blade Design
P01  P02
 The loss in non-dimensional form w= 1 2
V1
2
 It is desirable to avoid numbers with common multiples
for the blades in successive rows to reduce the likelihood
of introducing resonant frequencies.
 The common practice is to choose an even number for
the stator blades and a prime number for the rotor
blades.
 The blade outlet angle “ 2v” can not be determined from
the air outlet angle “ 2” until the deviation angle “ ”
has been determined.
   2   2v

Blade Design
Design Procedure
β1 β2
know how ≈ 3
ε = β 1 – β2 h/c
ε* β2 α2 h
c
Des. Defl. s/c
Curve
rm s
n = 2πrm/s
number of n
blades ns even
nr prime
recalculate s/c , h/c

Blade Design
 Ideally the mean direction of the air leaving the cascade

would be that of the outlet angle is of the blades.
 But in practice it is found that there is a deviation which is
due to the reluctance of the air to turn through the full
angle required by the shape of the blade.
 Empirical equations are employed to estimate  .
2a 2 2
  m  s m  0. 23( )  0.1( )
 c where : c 50
where "a" = the distance to the point of maximum camber

from the leading edge.
 If the camber arc is circular (2 a/c) = 1

Blade Design
 Using the values of “c,  1v,  2v,  “ ; it is possible to

construct the circular arc camber line of the blade around
which an aerofoil section can be built up.
 This method can now be applied to a selected number of

points along the blade length to get a complete picture of
the blade form.

Calculation of Stage Performance
 After the completion of stage design it will now be

necessary to check over the performance, particularly in
regard to the efficiency which for a given work input will
completely govern the final pressure ratio.
 This efficiency is dependent of the total pressure drop for
each of the blade rows comprising the stage and in order
to evaluate these quantities it will be necessary to revert
the loss measurements in cascade tests.
 Lift and profile drag coefficients CL and CDP can be
obtained from measured values of mean loss w.

The static pressure rise across the blades is given by

(incompressible assumption)
1 1
P  P2  P1  ( P02  V22 )  ( P01  V12 )
2 2

1
P  (V12  V22 )  ( P02  P01 )    P02  P01
2
1 2 
2 2
P  Va (tan 1  tan  2 )  
2

Assuming Va = Va1 = Va2;
 The axial force per unit length of each blade is = s P
 From the consideration of momentum changes the forces

acting along ethe cascade is given by
F = s  Va
 change in tangent velocity component along the cascade
F = s Va *Va (tan 1 - tan 2)

The coefficients CL and CDP are based on arbitrarily

defined vector mean velocity Vm,
where Vm  Va sec  m
1
tan  m  (tan 1  tan  2 )
2
 D = Drag force along vector mean velocity
 L = Lift force perpendicular to vector mean velocity

1 2 1 2
D  Vm cCDp L  Vm cCL
2 2

 After some manipulations

s  cos3  m
CDp ( )
c 1 V 2 cos2 1
1
2
s
CL  2 tan 1  tan  2 cos  m  CDp tan  m
c
 CDP and CL can be evaluated if a Howell like curve is
known from cascade test results and
1  1v  i
 2  1   *
1
 m  tan 1 (tan1  tan  2 )
2


1.5
Lift coefficient CL
CL
1.0
0.5
Drag coefficient CDP
0.075
0
0.050
CDP
0.025
0
-20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10
İncidence i degrees




Using the values of 1 from cascade test
V12
2
results for known values of (s/c); CDP and CL can be plotted
against incidence.
Since the value of Cp tan m in CL equation is negligibly small, it

is usual to use a more convenient theoretical value of C L given
by
s
CL  2 tan  1  tan  2 cos  m
c
In which the effect of profile drag is ignored. Using this formula,
curves of CL can be plotted for nominal (or design) conditions to
correspond with the curves of deflection. These curves are again
plotted against 2 for fixed values of s/c


 Before applying these coefficients to the blade rows of

the compressor stage two additional factors must be
taken into account.
 Annulus Drag: Drag effects due to the walls of the
Compressor annulus = CDA
CDA = 0.02 (s/h)
 Secondry Losses: Due to the trailing vortices and tip
clearances = CDS The following emprical relations can be
used
CDS = 0.018 CL2

The overall Drag Coefficient is given by

CD  CDP  CDA  CDS  Profile + annulus + secondary
(the annular cascade CDP is replaced by CD) thus


s  cos3  m
CD 
c 1 2 cos2 1
V1 
2

This enables the loss coefficient 1 2 for the blade
V1
row to be determined. 2


The theoretical pressure rise (i.e w =0)

1 1
Pth  Va2 (tan2 1  tan2  2 )  Va2 (sec2 1  sec2  2 )
2 2
Pth sec2  2 Pth cos2 1

 1  1
1 2 2 sec2 1 1 2 cos2  2
V sec 1 V1
2 a 2
Efficiency of the blade row 


 1 2
Pth   V
th   1 2 1
Pth Pth
1 2
V
2 1

 For a case where  = 50 % Rotor and stator rows are

similar thus this calculation carried at design diameter
can be applied to the whole stage

Ts  1

P2 P1 P2  s ( )
bl  ‘   1 2 for  = 1/2
P2  P1 P1 T1
Tis‘
s   stage efficiency
Tact



T  1
 P2 1 1  s s 1
P2‘ Ts  1
then P1 2 T1
 1 bl   
P1 2T1 P2‘ 1  1
Ts
P1 1  1
2T1
expanding and neglecting 2nd order terms;

1 Ts
bl  s 1  (1  s )
  1 4T1
Ts  20o K
for o
 bl  s
T1  400 K

 For cases other than 50 % reaction at the design

diameter an approximate stage efficiency is given by
1
s  blR  bl-ST
2
 If  far removed from 50%
s  bl-R 1   bl-ST

Summary of the Design Procedure
 Assume Ts and at the design radius  Calculate the air

angles
 Applying chosen design condition (Free Vortex, Constant
Reaction etc) Calculate air angles at all radii
 Results of Cascade Tests  Blade shapes (Blade
angles)  CD and CL
 Calculate ηs and Rs

Overall Performance
Assuming that ηs = η∞
(η constant through all compressor stages),
for a compressor consisting of N similar stages, each with
ηs = η∞ n
1 N Tos n 1
R 
To1
 R is the “Overall Pressure Ratio”

where ; n  
   s
n 1  1  1

Overall Performance
 Although the use of polytropic law gives a rapid means of

estimating the overall performance of a multistage
compressor, it is necessary in practice to make a step by
step final performance calculation.
 Latest blade manufacturing technology allows different

blade shapes for different rows.

Compressibility Effects
 High air velocities between the blades effects the

compressor performance.
 Critical Mach number Mc is defined such that at entry
velocities lower than this; the performance of the cascade
differs very little from that at low speeds. Above this
losses begin to show a marked increase.
 Maximum Mach Number is defined as the air speed at
which losses cancel the pressure rise.
 For a typical low speed cascade Mc = 0.7 Mm =0.85
 Increased Mach number also narrows the operating
range of incidence leading to poor performance at off
design conditions.

 In the sketch the variations in Mach # across the annulus

is shown for Free Vortex and constant reaction blading.
Free Vortex blading shown large Mach number variations
which extreme care should be taken.
 Since the velocity of sound in air increases with
increasing temperature the Mach numbers will decrease
through the compressor due to the progressively
increasing temperature.

 Not to suffer from compressibility effects in early stages

one might use constant reaction design if no other
precaution can be taken.
 Transonic stages where the flow is actually supersonic

over a part of the blade height can now be designed
utilizing very thin and special shaped blades. One
advantage is eliminating IGV’s less noise.

Some Deductions from the Compressor

Characteristics
 The overall compressor characteristic is composed of the
stage characteristics stacked.
 The mass flow through the compressor is controlled by
the choking of various stages in some cases early stages,
in the others the rear stages .
 If the axial flow compressor is designed for constant axial
velocity throughout ; the annulus area must decrease
along due to the increasing density.
 The annulus area for each stage is determined for the
design condition. At any other operating conditon the
design point calculated area will result in a variation of
axial velocity.


Characteristics
 When the compressor is run at a speed lower than

design,  T and Rc are reduced than the density at the
rear stages will be lower than the design value.
 As a result the axial velocity at the rear stages will
increase, eventually choking will occur .
 Thus at low speeds m is determined by the choking of
the rear stages. As the speed is increased density of the
rear stages increases (V decrease) thus gets unchoked.
 At very high speeds choking will occur at the inlet.
The vertical line of constant speed is due to choking at
the inlet of the compressor.


Characteristics


Characteristics
A B
 At the design speed if we consider the moving of
operating point from A to B.
 At point B (on the surge line), the density at the
compressor exit will be increased due to the compressor
exit will be increased due to the increase in delivery
pressure; also ṁ is slightly reduced.
 Axial velocity in the last stage is reduced incidence in the
last stage is increased. Rotor blades are expected to
stall from the last stages.


Characteristics


Characteristics
A C
 ṁ falls rapidly ; Va at the inlet decreases, incidence of
the first stage increases. But the incidence of the later
stages decrease due to the increase of Va (due to lower
pressure and density). At low speeds surging is probably
due to first stages stalling.
 At conditions far removed from surge R is very low 
high Va  large decrease in incidence result in stall in
negative incidence  very low ηc


Characteristics
 At high pressure operation Blow-off at an intermediate

stage (wasteful). Incidence can be maintained at design
value by increasing the speed of last stage (HPC) and
decreasing the speed of first stage (LPC);
 Two spools are mechanically independent but
aerodynamically coupled.

Axial Flow Compressor

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Axial Flow Compressor

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ME 423

Prof. Dr. O. Cahit ERALP

Chapter 5 Axial Flow Compressors

Turbine :- Accelerating flow - Successive pressure drops

Me 423 Spring 2006 Prof. Dr. O. Cahit ERALP

Compressor :- Decelerating flow - Pressure rises are

Me 423 Spring 2006 Prof. Dr. O. Cahit ERALP

A Comparison of Axial Flow Compressors and Turbines

 Boundary layers are far less happy in a compressive flow .

Me 423 Spring 2006 Prof. Dr. O. Cahit ERALP

A Comparison of Axial Flow Compressors and Turbines

 As A2 > A1 in subsonic flow (incompressible)

This is no more than a subsonic diffuser

To carry a mechanical load, some thickness is required.

 If M < 0.3 incompressible

Me 423 Spring 2006 Prof. Dr. O. Cahit ERALP

A Comparison of Axial Flow Compressors and Turbines

 Clearly the outlet velocity W2 cannot decrease beyond a

Me 423 Spring 2006 Prof. Dr. O. Cahit ERALP

A Comparison of Axial Flow Compressors and Turbines

 Due to the contraction, the flow initially accelerates

 More diffusion means less efficiency

Me 423 Spring 2006 Prof. Dr. O. Cahit ERALP

A Comparison of Axial Flow Compressors and Turbines

 The more the (camber), the more is the adverse pressure

Me 423 Spring 2006 Prof. Dr. O. Cahit ERALP

A Comparison of Axial Flow Compressors and Turbines

Me 423 Spring 2006 Prof. Dr. O. Cahit ERALP

A Comparison of Axial Flow Compressors and Turbines

 For the Axial Compressors and turbines the basic

Me 423 Spring 2006 Prof. Dr. O. Cahit ERALP

A Comparison of Axial Flow Compressors and Turbines

Me 423 Spring 2006 Prof. Dr. O. Cahit ERALP

A Comparison of Axial Flow Compressors and Turbines

 Another important constructional detail is the contraction

 This is necessary to maintain a reasonably constant axial

Me 423 Spring 2006 Prof. Dr. O. Cahit ERALP

Elementary Theory For Axial Flow Compressors

 Basic principle : Acceleration of the working fluid followed

Me 423 Spring 2006 Prof. Dr. O. Cahit ERALP

Elementary Theory For Axial Flow Compressors

 A semi- cascade can be produced if the cascade end

Me 423 Spring 2006 Prof. Dr. O. Cahit ERALP

Elementary Theory For Axial Flow Compressors

 Connect the absolute velocity vectors (u and v) together

W2< W1 P2 > P1 across the rotor

V1  V3  V2 P3  P2 across the stator

Me 423 Spring 2006 Prof. Dr. O. Cahit ERALP

Me 423 Spring 2006 Prof. Dr. O. Cahit ERALP

Elementary Theory For Axial Flow Compressors

Elementary Theory For Axial Flow Compressors

Me 423 Spring 2006 Prof. Dr. O. Cahit ERALP

Elementary Theory For Axial Flow Compressors

The input energy is absorbed usefully to increase p

Me 423 Spring 2006 Prof. Dr. O. Cahit ERALP

Elementary Theory For Axial Flow Compressors

Analysis of experimental results has shown that it is

The explanation of this is based on the fact that the radial

Substitute into 5.5 : a 1 a 2

since 1 & 1 are fixed while Va increase then w decrease

Me 423 Spring 2006 Prof. Dr. O. Cahit ERALP

Elementary Theory For Axial Flow Compressors

From eqn. 5.1 : Va tan 1 = U- Vatan 1